Liquid product storage and delivery systems, methods and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A liquid product storage and delivery system is provided. The liquid product storage and delivery system includes a storage tank and a liquid bladder supported inside of the storage tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/702,295, filed on Jul. 23, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to liquid product storage and delivery systems, methods, and apparatus.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a liquid product storage and delivery system is disclosed. The liquid product storage and delivery system comprises a storage tank and a liquid bladder supported inside of the storage tank.

In another embodiment, a liquid product storage and delivery system is disclosed. The liquid product storage and delivery system comprises a storage tank and a rigid insert tank inserted inside of the storage tank.

The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims and is not affected by the statements within this summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a liquid product storage and delivery system implemented in a trailer having one or more (e.g., two) internal tank volumes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid product storage and delivery system is shown implemented in a trailer having one or more internal tank volumes. The trailer may be of the kind commonly known as a “double-drop” trailer in some embodiments. A liquid bladder 1 is stored in each of the storage tanks of the trailer. The liquid bladder 1 may be made of a flexible material such as a PVC fabric, vinyl fabric, etc. In some embodiments, rather than resting entirely on a bottom surface of the trailer storage tank, each liquid bladder 1 is at least partially supported on a platform 2 (e.g., metal platform) provided near and above the bottom surface of the storage tank. The platform 2 is optionally welded in place inside the trailer storage tank. In some embodiments, the platform 2 includes one or more openings for receiving an outlet 3 therethrough. The outlet 3 is optionally in fluid communication with an internal volume of bladder 1 for transfer of liquid into or out of the bladder 1. In some embodiments, the outlet 3 is in fluid communication with a pump 4 and/or distribution system, e.g., via a manifold.

In some embodiments, hooks (not shown) or other support members are supported at an upper end of the trailer and attached (e.g., removably attached) to the bladder 1 for holding an upper surface of the bladder 1 at an elevated position relative to platform 2.

In some embodiments, a plurality of bladders 1 are stored in each storage tank of the trailer. In some such embodiments the plurality of bladders may be side by side or disposed in front-to-back relation. In some embodiments, dividing walls (e.g., metal walls, etc.) may be provided in the storage tank for separating a plurality of bladders 1 in the storage tank. Each bladder in such embodiments optionally has an associated opening in the platform 2 for receiving an outlet of the bladder therethrough.

In some alternative embodiments, a rigid insert tank (e.g., plastic such as polyethylene or metal or other material) is inserted in the trailer storage tank instead of a flexible bladder. In some such embodiments, the rigid insert tank is optionally shaped to fit inside the trailer storage tank. In some such embodiments, the additional platform 2 may be omitted and replaced with a lower floor of the rigid insert storage tank, which may have an outlet provided therein in communication with an internal volume of the rigid insert tank. In some embodiments, a plurality of rigid insert tanks may be shaped to fit together (e.g., in a honeycomb or other arrangement) to form a combined shape which fits within and/or is secured in position by the trailer storage tank.

In some embodiments, a rigid (e.g., metal or poly) frame is provided which is shaped to fit within and/or be secured in position by the trailer storage tank. In some such embodiments, the frame is configured to support one or more rigid insert tanks or one or more flexible bladders.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A liquid product storage and delivery system comprising: a storage tank; and a liquid bladder supported inside of the storage tank.
 2. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a platform disposed within the storage tank at least partially supporting said liquid bladder.
 3. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 2, wherein the platform is disposed above a bottom surface of the storage tank.
 4. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 2, wherein the platform is welded inside of the storage tank.
 5. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 2, further comprising an opening in said platform and an outlet in fluid communication with an internal volume of said liquid bladder, said outlet extending through said platform.
 6. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 5, further comprising a pump in fluid communication with said outlet.
 7. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 5, further comprising a distribution system in fluid communication with said outlet.
 8. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 5, further comprising a manifold, and a pump and/or distribution system, wherein the manifold connects said outlet to the pump and/or to the distribution system.
 9. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 3, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member supports an upper surface of the platform at an elevated position relative to the bottom surface of the storage tank.
 10. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 3, wherein the support member comprises at least one hook.
 11. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of liquid bladders are supported inside of the storage tank.
 12. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of liquid bladders are disposed side-by-side or in front-to-back relation.
 13. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 11, further comprising at least one platform disposed within the storage tank at least partially supporting said plurality of liquid bladders, a plurality of openings in said at least one platform, and a plurality of outlets each in fluid communication with an internal volume of an associated one of the plurality of liquid bladders, said plurality of outlets extending through said at least one platform.
 14. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 11, further comprising at least one dividing wall which separates the plurality of liquid bladders.
 15. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 1, wherein the liquid bladder is flexible.
 16. A liquid product storage and delivery system comprising: a storage tank; and a rigid insert tank inserted inside of the storage tank.
 17. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 16, further comprising an outlet, wherein the rigid insert tank comprises a lower floor, the lower floor comprising an opening, the outlet in fluid communication with an internal volume of said rigid insert tank, said outlet extending through said lower floor.
 18. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of rigid insert tanks inserted inside of the storage tank.
 19. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of rigid insert tanks are secured and/or fitted together.
 20. The liquid product storage and delivery system of claim 16, further comprising a frame disposed inside of the storage tank, the frame supporting the rigid insert tank. 